Fund management news

Latest fund alert

BlackRock UK Special Situations – research update

By Richard Troue | Fri 12 March
Richard Plackett, manager of the BlackRock UK Special Situations Fund, has long been one of our favourite managers in the UK growth arena.

Recent fund news

Martin Currie Global Alpha removed from Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Wed 10 March
The Martin Currie Global Alpha Fund has been removed from the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds for new investment in each sector.

Oceanic Australian Natural Resources Fund – update

By Meera Patel | Tue 09 March
2009 was a great year for the resources sector and the CF Oceanic Australian Natural Resources Fund saw a strong recovery after a poor 2008.

Martin Currie China Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 04 March
Martin Currie is launching a China Fund on 10 March 2010 under the stewardship of James Chong who has 15 years' experience in the Chinese market.

Jupiter Strategic Bond – new addition to Wealth 150

By Richard Troue | Fri 26 February
The Jupiter Strategic Bond Fund has been added to the Wealth 150 list of our favourite funds in each sector.

L&G UK Absolute Fund – New launch

By Meera Patel | Tue 23 February
Legal & General has launched a UK Absolute Return Fund which aims to deliver positive absolute returns over time regardless of market conditions.

L&G European Absolute Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Tue 23 February
Legal & General has launched a European Absolute Return Fund which aims to deliver positive absolute returns over time regardless of market conditions.

Invesco Perpetual Japan – Addition to the Wealth 150

By Rob Morgan | Tue 23 February
Japan is a sector that has been out of favour with investors for a long time. However many managers believe that the market now represents excellent value.

Skandia UK Best Ideas removed from Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Mon 15 February
We have removed the Skandia UK Best Ideas Fund from the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds for new investment in each sector.

Jupiter China Sustainable Growth - new addition to Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Mon 08 February
Over the last 20 years, China's economy has grown remarkably and it is now poised to be the world's second largest economic superpower behind the US.

Gartmore Japan Absolute Return Fund

By Meera Patel | Tue 02 February
Gartmore has launched a Japan Absolute Return Fund with the aim of delivering positive returns regardless of market conditions over the longer term.

Glendevon King Global Bond Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 27 January
Glendevon King Asset Management is launching the Glendevon King Global Bond Fund on 5th February 2010.

Invesco Perpetual Tactical Bond – New Launch

By Meera Patel | Mon 25 January
Corporate bonds are an essential part of a diverse portfolio. In terms of risk, they generally sit between cash and shares and many high-quality corporate bonds still offer yields in excess of 5%.

New Star Higher Income switch alert

By Meera Patel | Fri 22 January
We believe investors in the New Star Higher Income Fund should consider switching to an alternative investment.

New Star International Property – reopens after a dealing suspension

By Meera Patel | Thu 21 January
Henderson New Star is lifting the dealing suspension on the New Star International Property Fund on 12th February 2010.

Sarasin Equisar UK Thematic Opportunities Fund – New Launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 21 January
Sarasin is launching a UK Thematic Opportunities Fund on 28th January 2010. The group has been investing on a thematic basis across various global funds and is now looking to apply the same strategy to a UK fund.

Gartmore European Selected Opportunities Fund – change in fund manager

By Rob Morgan | Tue 19 January
John Bennett, formally at GAM, will take over management of the Gartmore European Selected Opportunities Fund from 1st February, replacing Roger Guy and Guillaume Rambourg.

BlackRock Gold & General – manager announcement

By Meera Patel | Fri 15 January
Graham Birch, the former manager of the BlackRock Gold & General Fund has decided that he will not be returning from his sabbatical.

Schroder US Mid Cap – Addition to the Wealth 150

By Rob Morgan | Thu 14 January
We have added the Schroder US Mid Cap Fund to the Wealth 150. The fund is headed by the well respected Jenny Jones who has a fine stock picking record in the US market.

Schroder US Smaller Companies Fund – 'soft closure' and removal from Wealth 150

By Rob Morgan | Wed 13 January
Schroder has announced the 'soft closure' of the Schroder US Smaller Companies Fund run by Jenny Jones. This means the fund will remain open for investment but that all discounts cease to apply.

IFSL Blacksquare Multi-Manager Absolute Return Fund – New Launch

By Meera Patel | Fri 08 January
Blacksquare Capital is a specialist in managing multi-manager funds (also known as fund of funds) in specific sectors.

New Star International Property – progress report

By Meera Patel | Fri 08 January
The New Star International Property Fund continues to have a dealing suspension, meaning that nobody can buy or sell units in the fund.

Jupiter North American Equities – new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 07 January
Jupiter has recently launched its North American Equities Fund, making the skills of the manager, Sebastian Radcliffe available to a wider overseas audience.

Fidelity Sterling Bond Fund changes name

By Meera Patel | Thu 07 January
Fidelity is changing the name of their Sterling Bond Fund to the Fidelity Strategic Bond Fund on 22 January 2010.

Melchior Asian Opportunities – performance update

By Mark Dampier | Wed 23 December
Even the best fund managers experience short-term periods of poor performance. For Henrietta Luk, manager of the Melchior Asian Opportunities Fund, 2008 was a particularly difficult time.

Fidelity Multi Asset Growth Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Mon 21 December
Fidelity has recently launched the Multi Asset Growth Fund.

Fidelity Multi Asset Defensive Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Mon 21 December
Fidelity has recently launched the Multi Asset Defensive Fund.

SVM UK Opportunities – reinstated onto the Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Wed 16 December
We recently removed the SVM UK Opportunities Fund from the Wealth 150 list of our favourite funds in each sector.

Fidelity European Fund removed from the Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Tue 15 December
Fidelity recently announced that the manager of its European Fund, Tim McCarron, will leave the firm early next year to take a break from the industry.

HSBC American Growth Fund – fund merger

By Rob Morgan | Mon 14 December
Holders of HSBC American Growth Fund will automatically receive new units in the HSBC American Index Fund as a result of a fund merger.

Jupiter International Financials Fund - New Launch

By Meera Patel | Tue 08 December
Many investors will need no introduction to Philip Gibbs. In our opinion he is one of the finest fund managers in the UK and is well known for managing the Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund.

Ignis International Cartesian UK Equity 130/30 Fund – name change

By Meera Patel | Mon 07 December
Ignis International Cartesian is changing the name of their UK Equity 130/30 Fund to the Ignis International Cartesian Enhanced Alpha Fund.

Matrix VCTs

By Ben Yearsley | Mon 30 November
According to many press reports it has been a tough time for venture capital and private equity investments. The effects of the credit crunch have taken their toll with banks reining in their lending and consumer demand weakening.

First State Asia Pacific Leaders – income unit now available

By Rob Morgan | Tue 24 November
First State has introduced an income unit for their popular Asia Pacific Leaders Fund, which will enable investors to receive any income that the fund produces rather than having it automatically reinvested.

Jupiter China passes its third anniversary

By Meera Patel | Mon 23 November
Although China’s economic growth had slowed towards the end of last year, China appears to have avoided the worst of the global downturn.

SVM UK Opportunities Fund removed from Wealth 150

By Stuart Goodwin | Mon 23 November
After a bad period of performance during much of 2008, the SVM UK Opportunities Fund has bounced back superbly and delivered growth of 102% over the last year (3/11/08 to 2/11/09).

UBS Multi Asset Income Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 12 November
UBS has recently launched the Multi Asset Income Fund. Its aim is to provide an income through a diversified portfolio of investments.

Lazard Emerging Markets – research update

By Meera Patel | Wed 11 November
Since their low point in early March emerging markets have barely paused for breath.

Schroder European Alpha Plus research update

By Stuart Goodwin | Tue 10 November
The Schroder European Alpha Plus Fund has had mixed performance over the last couple of years.

JP Morgan Japan - removal from Wealth 150

By Rob Morgan | Wed 28 October
The JP Morgan Japan Fund has been removed from the Wealth 150 list of our favourite funds in each sector.

New Star Global Financials – manager moves to Jupiter

By Mark Dampier | Tue 27 October
It has been announced today that Guy De Blonay, manager of the New Star Global Funds, is leaving Henderson New Star to join Jupiter in the New Year.

Changes to Schroder Far East Income Fund

By Stuart Goodwin | Wed 21 October
Schroders has announced a change to the investment mandate of its Far East Income Fund.

Investec American Fund – Bill Fries to step down

By Rob Morgan | Wed 21 October
The Investec American Fund is managed by US based Thornburg Asset Management and is modelled on their successful Thornburg Value Fund, which Bill Fries has managed since launch in 1995.

Thames River Credit Select - new launch

By Meera Patel | Mon 19 October
Thames River is bringing to the market two new corporate bond funds under the stewardship of Stephen Drew. He will be supported by a team of three co-managers and a larger team of analysts.

Thames River Global Credit - new launch

By Meera Patel | Mon 19 October
This is one of two new launches that Thames River is bringing to the market. The fund will be managed by Stephen Drew and he will be supported by a team of three co-managers and a larger team of analysts.

Threadneedle UK Property added to Wealth 150

By Mark Dampier | Thu 08 October
Back in March I started to detect signs of optimism amongst commercial property fund managers after a torrid couple of years. Don Jordison and Chris Morrogh at Threadneedle had done better than most during the downturn because they had kept...

HIM Income Fund - new launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 07 October
This new fund launches on 15 October and will be managed by Nick Brind who recently joined HIM (Hiscox Investment Management). He comes with 15 years experience investing in the financial sector and this new fund will primarily focuc...

RAB European Dynamic switch alert

By Mark Dampier | Fri 02 October
In our opinion existing investors in the RAB European Dynamic Fund should consider switching to an alternative investment.

River & Mercantile Global Opportunities - new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 01 October
River & Mercantile is launching a Global Opportunities Fund on 8th October 2009. This will be the firm’s first global offering and will sit alongside their existing UK fund range.

Veritas China Fund - new launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 30 September
Some investors might have come across Ezra Sun when he was at Newton, where he had a good track record managing Asian funds. In 2004 he joined Veritas Asset Management, a boutique investment firm established in 1993 and currently managing around $2.5 billion of assets.

Successful deal for VCT managers

By Rob Morgan | Tue 29 September
Investing in smaller companies, particularly in their formative years, inherently carries significant risk. However the recent sale of stakes in DxS by two VCT managers, NVM Private Equity and YFM amply demonstrates the potential rewards.

New Star European Special Situations

By Mark Dampier | Fri 25 September
Europe is often overlooked by UK investors. It is easy to forget that the European Union is made up of 27 countries and thousands of companies, some of which are global leaders in their fields and performing extremely well. The skill is finding them and for that you need a first rate stock picker. I can think of few better than Richard Pease.

GAM to close European Systematic Value & Income Fund

By Stuart Goodwin | Thu 24 September
GAM has announced it will be closing its European Systematic Value & Income Fund. This is due to the fund’s small size and the departure of the fund manager.

Gartmore UK Growth & UK Focus - arrival of new manager

By Meera Patel | Wed 23 September
Leigh Himsworth, formerly of Royal London joins Gartmore as Head of UK Equities on 28th September. Once he is settled into his new role, he will be taking over the Gartmore UK Growth and UK Focus Funds.

Skandia UK Strategic Best Ideas research update

By Meera Patel | Wed 16 September
Skandia pioneered the ‘best ideas’ concept of choosing ten top quality managers and asking each to select their best stock ideas. The Skandia UK Strategic Best Ideas Fund is the third fund in the range and takes the concept to another level.

Skandia Global Best Ideas research update

By Meera Patel | Wed 16 September
In 2006 Skandia introduced a novel concept of picking ten of the industry’s most highly regarded fund managers and asking them to select ten of their best stock ideas. They then combined these in a single fund, launching the Skandia Global Best Ideas Fund in June 2006.

Skandia UK Best Ideas research update

By Meera Patel | Mon 14 September
The Skandia UK Best Ideas Fund was launched in October 2006. In the first nine months the fund got off to a remarkable start.

Investec Monthly High Income - change in fund manager

By Meera Patel | Fri 11 September
There have been some changes at Investec on their fixed interest team. Chris O'Hare, the lead manager of the Investec Monthly High Income Fund has left the firm and John Stopford, the head of fixed income, has assumed full responsibility as of 1st September 2009.

Cazenove Absolute UK Dynamic Fund update

By Stuart Goodwin | Wed 09 September
The Cazenove Absolute UK Dynamic Fund launched on Monday following a fixed price offer period. The launch proved extremely popular, and by noon on the first day £99m had been invested in the fund.

Gartmore extends capacity of European Absolute Return Fund

By Stuart Goodwin | Wed 09 September
Gartmore has announced that it is extending the capacity of its European Absolute Return Fund.

Gartmore European Selected Opportunities removed from Wealth 150

By Stuart Goodwin | Tue 08 September
The Gartmore European Selected Opportunities Fund has been removed from the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds in each sector. This is due to a forthcoming change of fund manager.

Junior Mining - new fund launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 02 September
The Junior Mining Fund launches on 7th September 2009. It will be managed by Angelos Damaskos, a specialist in the commodities sector who will invest predominantly in smaller mining companies which have the potential to become the giants of tomorrow.

New addition to Wealth 150 - Liontrust European Absolute Return

By Meera Patel | Sat 29 August
The Liontrust European Absolute Return Fund is a recent addition to the Wealth 150 list of our favourite funds in each sector. The fund was launched in July 2009 under the stewardship of Gary West and James Inglis-Jones. The fund invests in European shares and may also include some exposure to the UK. The aim is to deliver positive returns each year regardless of market conditions.

New launch - Old Mutual Global Equity Absolute Return

By Meera Patel | Tue 25 August
This is a recent launch by Old Mutual investing in global shares with the aim to deliver positive returns in all market conditions.

Baronsmead VCTs - performance update

By Rob Morgan | Mon 24 August
Baronsmead, the Venture Capital Trust specialists, have recently announced interim reports for Baronsmead VCT 3 and VCT 4 as well as quarterly updates for Baronsmead VCT, VCT 2 and AIM VCT. It has also been confirmed that a further...

Ignis Argonaut European Alpha research update

By Meera Patel | Fri 21 August
There is a real dilemma at the moment between whether we should brace ourselves for continued recession or a recovery. Some fund managers believe there is more doom and gloom to come while others like Barry Norris, manager of the Ignis...

UBS UK Smaller Companies removed from Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Fri 21 August
It has been a difficult period for smaller company funds as many have suffered during the economic downturn. This has led to a clear distinction between fund managers that have held their own in difficult markets and those that have struggled...

Schroder UK Alpha Plus research update

By Stuart Goodwin | Thu 20 August
After underperforming significantly towards the end of 2008, the Schroder UK Alpha Plus Fund has bounced back superbly in 2009. This performance has been driven by the fund manager’s conviction that some financial stocks, and other...

Aviva UK Special Situations removed from Wealth 150

By Stuart Goodwin | Wed 19 August
The Aviva UK Special Situations Fund has been removed from the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds in each sector. Aviva outsourced the investment management responsibility for this fund, and it is jointly managed by Richard Buxton...

City Financial Strategic Gilt Fund added to Wealth 150

By Stuart Goodwin | Tue 18 August
We have recently added the City Financial Strategic Gilt Fund to the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds in each sector. Gilts are government bonds (i.e. a loan made to the government) and when held until maturity are considered to be...

Insynergy Odey Fund added to the Wealth 150

By Mark Dampier | Mon 17 August
We have recently added the Insynergy Odey Fund to the Wealth 150, our list of favourite funds in each sector. This is a global growth fund with a flexible mandate and the capacity to hold significant amounts in cash if the manager..

GLG Technology Equity - Update

By Meera Patel | Fri 14 August
Technology has revolutionised the way we live and work. It is hard to imagine not having emails or access to the internet. We have seen enormous developments in the last decade with flat screen TVs, iPods, and now 3G (third generation)...

AXA Framlington UK Select Opportunities research update

By Meera Patel | Thu 13 August
John Maynard Keynes was one of the most influential economists of the early twentieth century. He managed money for King’s College, Cambridge and was an investor in the stock market during the 1930s depression rather than staying in cash...

Investec Enhanced Natural Resources - new addition to Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Wed 12 August
Resources play such an integral part in every-day life that it’s no wonder that demand has been on the rise for years. We need energy to supply our light and heat; we need food to eat and fuel for our transport. Natural resources are not...

Artemis UK Smaller Companies removed from Wealth 150

By Meera Patel | Tue 11 August
The Artemis UK Smaller Companies Fund has underperformed other funds in its sector recently. All fund managers, even the very best, will experience phases where the returns they generate for investors are disappointing. Our research...

British Smaller Companies VCT & British Smaller Technology Companies VCT2

By Ben Yearsley | Mon 10 August
The recent financial turmoil has caused numerous problems for many fledgling companies, especially those operating in traditional industries. However we are pleased to report that these two VCT funds, managed by YFM Private Equity...

New launch - 24 Monument Bond Fund

By Meera Patel | Mon 03 August
24 Asset Management will not be a name familiar to investors as it’s a new group but they are specialists in the credit and Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) market. The investment team of four individuals are experienced and...

Former Credit Suisse income funds sold to Premier, PSigma appointed as managers

By Stuart Goodwin | Mon 03 August
Earlier this year Aberdeen Asset Management acquired Credit Suisse Asset Management and took control of their funds. Following this deal the equity income funds have been sold to Premier. The affected equity income funds are Income...

Leigh Himsworth leaves Royal London to join Gartmore

By Stuart Goodwin | Fri 31 July
It has been announced that Leigh Himsworth, manager of the Royal London UK Mid Cap Growth Fund, has left the firm. Mr Himsworth will join Gartmore where he will take up the role of Head of UK Equities. His replacement as manager of the...

Update on New Star International Property Fund

By Stuart Goodwin | Thu 30 July
The New Star International Property Fund continues to have a dealing suspension, meaning that nobody can buy or sell units in the fund. This was introduced in November 2008 after a high level of redemptions meant the fund had run out of liquid...

Old Mutual UK Dynamic Equity added to Wealth 150

By Mark Dampier | Thu 30 July
Over the last eight years the Old Mutual small and medium sized companies team have stood out as exceptional. When investing in this area of the market, stock picking is especially crucial, after all there are over 1,000 companies to choose...

Artemis UK Special Situations research update

By Stuart Goodwin | Fri 24 July
Artemis UK Special Situations has long been one of our favourite UK growth funds. Today it is jointly managed by Derek Stuart and Ruth Keattch, who have continued to guide the fund to impressive returns relative to their peers in the sector...

BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha research update

By Stuart Goodwin | Fri 24 July
We recently met with Nick Osborne, who co-manages the BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha Fund with Mark Lyttleton, for an update. BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha is an absolute return fund, which means that depending on how the managers view certain share...

Royal London UK Strategic Growth - name change

By Meera Patel | Wed 22 July
Royal London Asset Management has recently changed the name of its UK Strategic Growth Fund to the Royal London UK Mid-Cap Growth Fund . This is a move to...

Newton Higher Income - fund increases dividend

By Meera Patel | Tue 21 July
It has been a testing period for UK equity income funds with many high profile companies like BT and Marks & Spencer cutting their dividends. The bulk of the...

Artemis Strategic Assets - Update

By Meera Patel | Fri 17 July
For many people William Littlewood is an unfamiliar name. He first came to our attention in 1991 when he managed a small income fund for Jupiter with great success...

City of London Asia Value & Growth Fund - new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 16 July
City of London is a specialist in emerging markets and has been investing in the region since 1991 and currently manages $3.5 billion worth of assets. The new City...

Artemis New Enterprises Fund merged away

By Stuart Goodwin | Wed 15 July
On 2nd July Artemis completed the merger of its New Enterprises Fund into the UK Special Situations Fund. The merger is a reflection of the trend towards the closure of specialised technology funds. This is partly due to the integration of...

Fidelity Europe Long Term Growth Fund - new retail share class

By Meera Patel | Fri 10 July
Fidelity has recently made one of its European funds available to private investors by introducing a new share class branded the Fidelity Europe Long Term Growth Fund. The fund is managed by Thomas Fraenkel-Thonet who has more than...

JPM Multi Asset Income - new launch

By Meera Patel | Thu 09 July
JP Morgan has recently launched a new multi-asset income fund aiming to offer investors a decent level of income in a low interest rate environment. The fund aims to deliver a gross yield of one-month LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offer...

Jupiter Japan Select Fund - new launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 08 July
Jupiter has recently launched a new Japan Select Fund to extend its offshore fund range and allow international investors to access the skills of its Japan fund manager, Simon Somerville. Simon Somerville has 19 years fund management experience...

Liontrust European Absolute Return Fund - new fund launch

By Meera Patel | Wed 08 July
Markets have made good progress since their lows in March, but following the recent strength we expect volatility to remain rife, particularly as economic data around the world remains weak. In these conditions we expect a new breed...

Artemis Income - dividend payment update

By Meera Patel | Thu 02 July
Artemis has recently declared the latest dividend payment for their Income fund. This brings the total dividend for the year to 30 June 2009 to 7.09 pence per unit compared to 7.98 pence per unit in the previous 12 months. This is...

Gartmore's new addition to their European team

By Meera Patel | Wed 01 July
Gartmore has recently announced the appointment of John Bennett as a senior fund manager on their European team. He is due to join the firm in early 2010. John Bennett has a 20 year track record managing European equities and has...

Credit Suisse fund range renamed to Aberdeen

By Stuart Goodwin | Tue 30 June
The majority of Credit Suisse’s fund range will be renamed as Aberdeen funds. This follows the acquisition of Credit Suisse Asset Management by Aberdeen earlier this year. Any investors who hold Credit Suisse funds in their Vantage account...

Fund mergers at Rathbones

By Stuart Goodwin | Fri 26 June
Rathbones is reorganising part of its UK fund range to consolidate some of its smaller funds. The changes are due to take effect from 13th July, subject to approval from unitholders. The Rathbone High Income Fund will merge into the..

New manager for Old Mutual Global Strategic Bond and Dynamic Bond funds

By Stuart Goodwin | Thu 25 June
Old Mutual has recently appointed a new Head of Fixed Income, Stewart Cowley. Mr Cowley joined the firm from Newton where he performed the same role and managed the International Bond Fund with some success. Following his arrival at Old...

Investec American - new sterling hedged share class

By Meera Patel | Tue 23 June
Investec has recently launched a sterling hedged share class for its American Fund. This means UK based investors can access the US market without taking currency risk, but please note the underlying fund will still be invested in...

Aegon - closure of funds

By Meera Patel | Mon 22 June
On 31 July 2009, Aegon is planning to close its £7.8 million Cautious Managed Fund and the £3.6 million European Bond Fund. As the funds are small in size, they do not believe it is economically viable for investors. Small funds are more...

New Star Heart of Africa - delay in returning cash to investors

By Meera Patel | Thu 14 May
The New Star Heart of Africa Fund was recently wound up and its assets sold to a third party, DUET Group. This process was originally due to have been completed at the end of April.

Schroder Income Maximiser - new fund manager

By Meera Patel | Thu 14 May
Schroders has recently announced the appointment of Thomas See as the lead manager of their Income Maximiser Fund. This is the fund's third manager in over a year.

Castlestone Intelligent Portfolio (IQ) Asset Allocation (UCITS) Fund – new launch

By Meera Patel | Tue 24 November
Castlestone Management was founded in December 1996 and specialises in managing alternative investments, such as commodities, hedge funds and multi-asset funds.